The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-10-07

cations of the island and OH the main land
were of formidable character, and so con-
structed that the gunboats could not come
within range of one without being subjected
TO a concentrated fire from the others.
On the morning of March 16 the lombard
ment was begun at distance OF two miles
and half, and it continued day after day
for three weeks. Tons of iron were hurled
into the Confederate works, but without pro-
ducing any apparent impression. On the LIST
Of April Gen. Beauregard telegraphed to tho
war department at Richmond that tho bonn
bardment had continued fifteen days, in
which time, the enemy had thrown 5000
shells, expanding about 100000 pounds of
powder, with the result of one man killed
and none seriously wounded. "Every day."
says a southern history of the war, "the NOR
tars continued to boom and tho cannon of
the island replied with dull, sullen roar,
wasting shot and temper alike. The very
birds became accustomed to the artificial
thunder, and alighted upon the branches of
the trees overhanging the mortars in the sui
phurous smoke" 1t is only necessary for one
to realize the sublime poetry Of war to inn
agine dozen of these monsters laundering at
once, the air filled with smoke clouds, the
ginboats belching out destruction, the shells
screaming through the air with unearthly
sounds, and the distant guns of the enemy
sending their solid shot above and around the
island, dashing the water up in glistening col
umns and jets of spray.
Finding that it was impossible to capture
the position with artillery, Gen. Halleck or
dered Gen. Pope to ascertain il 1t were posi-
BILE to construct q road along the western
bank of the river through the swamps and
erect batteries opposite the island that could
cooperate with the fleet. The Federal ell
gineers declared that tho plan was not FEAST
BILE. whereupon Union resident of Now
Madrid suggested that a steamboat canal
might be cut across the promontory The
thought was at once adopted, and steamers
aud light drc1ght boats were sent down
from Cairo with the necessary implements
10 prosecute the work. The distance to be
travorsed by the canal was twelve miles; its
width was to be fifty feet and Its depth not
less thnn four and half feet One-half of
its length was to be cut through heavy tim
Der. The remainder Of the canal ran
through stagnant, swampy bayous filled with
tangled brush "This herculean labor" says
Gen. Pope, "was prosecuted with untiring
labor and determination, under exposure and
privations very unusual even in the history
Of warfare" +Jhtff 'tlt
RUNNING A GAUNTLET OF FIRE.
e At last, OH the 4th of April, the canal was
open and ready for use. Light transports
could pass through, but there was not depth
of water enough for the gunboats, and it was
evident that the river could not be crossed
without the protection of the ironclads. It
a
ble risk of running the batteries, and the
gtinboat Carondelet, Capt. Walker, was
chosen rs the pioneer The boat was
strengthened by every continuance that could
be devised The most vulnerable parts were
shielded with rolls of surplus chains, tie
decks were covered with layer OF heavy
planlis, and a large hawser was wound
around the pilot house up to the window
The crew were provided with hand grenades,
and hose for throwing hot water were at
tached to the boilers for the purpose of re-
pelling boarders. A large coal barge laden
In tow ON the side exposed to tho batteries.
The machinery was So adjusted rs to permit
The escape Of steam through the wheehuuse
and thus avoid the usual putting In It's pas
sage through the pipes. The night was all
that could be desired; the atmosphere hazy
and the start was made. For the first half
mile oil went well. Suddenly the SCOT in the
chmneys took fire and the fame In their tops
aroused the Confederate encampments. Sig
nal rockets were instantly sent up, the long
roll sounded, and one of the batteries opened
on the dim apparition drifting by, almost
within point blank range. Shot now followed
shot in rapid volleys from moro than hun
dred guns. and further concealment being
out of the question orders were given to the
engineers to drive the boat with all possible
speed As II the hand OF Providence were
directing, a storm now burst in all its fury,
and amid vivid flashes OF lightning and peals
~ thunder through rain and darkness and
rtss A